Difference Between Rise and Raise

Rise vs Raise

There is a clear difference between Rise and Raise in their meanings and connotations though the two words, rise and raise, are often confused when it comes to their usage. This may be due to their similar sound and spelling. They are indeed two different words that have to be understood with separate meanings. The word rise is used in the sense of ‘increase’. On the other hand, the word raise is used in the sense of ‘lift’. This is the main difference between the two words. It is interesting to note that the word rise and the word raise are used as verbs. These verbs have their adjectival forms in the words ‘rising’ and ‘raising’ respectively.

What does Rise mean?

The word rise is used in the sense of increase. Observe the two sentences given below.

His blood pressure rises when he gets angry.

His salary rises every three months.

In both the sentences, you can find that the word rise is used in the sense of ‘increase’ and hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘his blood pressure increases when he gets angry’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘his salary increases every three months.’ It is important to note that, with regard to the sun, the moon or another celestial body, the word rise sometimes, is used in the sense of ‘appear above the horizon’ as the Oxford English dictionary says. Look at the following sentence.

The sun rises in the east.

Here, the word rise is used in the sense of ‘appear above the horizon’ and hence, the meaning of the sentence would be ‘the sun appears above the horizon in the east’.

What does Raise mean?

The word raise is used in the sense of life. Observe the two sentences given below.

The table was slightly raised.

The weights were raised by the weight lifter.

In both the sentences, you can find that the word raise is used in the sense of ‘lift’ and hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘the table was slightly lifted’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘the weights were lifted by the weight lifter.’ According to the Oxford English dictionary, the word raise is also used to mean ‘bring up (a child).’

His mother raised him with great difficulty after his father passed away.

Here, the word raise means bring up. So, the sentence would mean, ‘his mother brought him up with great difficulty after his father passed away.’

What is the difference between Rise and Raise?

• The word rise is used in the sense of ‘increase’.

• On the other hand, the word raise is used in the sense of ‘lift’. This is the main difference between the two words.

• With regard to the sun, the moon or another celestial body, the word rise sometimes, is used in the sense of ‘appear above the horizon.’